The In Death Collection Books 16-20 - J. D. Robb [8]
He looked back outside, to the bin. “I don’t know how anybody could do that to her.”
With Peabody at her side, Eve walked across to the 24/7. “I need you to get in touch with Roarke, find out how Summerset’s doing.”
“He went on vacation today. You had it set on your calendar, with a trumpet fanfare and shooting stars.”
“He broke his leg.”
“What? When? How? Jeez.”
“Fell down the damn steps this morning. I think he did it to spite me. I really do. Just check. Tell Roarke I’ll be in touch as soon as I sort through some of this.”
“And send your concern and support.” Peabody kept her face admirably sober when Eve shifted her eyes and pinned her. “He’ll know it’s bogus, but it’s what people do.”
“Whatever.”
She stepped inside. Some sensible person had killed the chirpy music that played in every 24/7, on or off planet. The place was a tomb, filled with grab-it-and-go food, overpriced staples of everyday living, and a wall of AutoChefs. A uniform loitered at the entertainment disc display while a young male clerk sat behind the counter. His eyes were red and raw.
Another young one, Eve thought. Clerks at 24/7’s tended to be kids or seniors who would work ridiculous hours for stingy pay.
This one was skinny and black, with a shock of orange hair standing straight up off his head. He sported a silver lip ring, and a cheap knockoff of one of the more popular wrist units.
He took one look at Eve and began to cry again, silently.
“They said I couldn’t call anybody. They said I had to stay here. I don’t want to stay here.”
“You can go soon.” She jerked her head to send the uniform outside.
“They said Rachel’s dead.”
“Yes, she is. Were you friends with her?”
“I think there’s a mistake. I think there’s been a mistake.” He swiped a hand under his nose. “If you’d let me call her, you’d see there’s been a mistake.”
“I’m sorry. What’s your name?”
“Madinga. Madinga Jones.”
“There’s no mistake, Madinga, and I’m sorry because I can see you were friends. How long had you known her?”
“I just don’t think this is right. I just don’t think this is real.” He scrubbed at his face. “She came to work here last summer, early last summer. She’s going to college, she needed the job. We hang out sometimes.”
“You were close. Were you involved, personally involved?”
“We were buds, that’s all. I got a girl. We’d go clubbing sometimes maybe, or catch a new vid.”
“Did she have a boy?”
“Not especially. She kept it loose, because she needed to study. She dug on school.”
“Did she ever mention that somebody was hassling her? Maybe somebody who didn’t want to keep it loose?”
“I don’t . . . well, there was this guy we met at a club, and she went out with him once after, to like some restaurant he owns or something. But she said he was too grabby, and she shook him off. He didn’t like it much, and kept after her for a while. But that was like months ago. Before Christmas.”
“Got a name?”
“Diego.” He shrugged. “I don’t know the rest. Slick looking, fancy threads. Told her he was a cruiser, but he could dance, and she liked to dance.”
“The club?”
“Make The Scene. Up by Union Square on Fourteenth. He—did he mess with her before he put her in there?”
“I can’t tell you.”
“She was a virgin.” His lips trembled. “She said how she didn’t want to just do it to do it. I used to rag on her about it, just for fun, you know, because we were buds. If he messed with her.” The tears dried up, and his eyes went marble hard. “You gotta hurt him. You gotta hurt him the way he hurt her.”
Outside, Eve dragged a hand through her hair and wished for her sunshades. Wherever the hell they were.
“Broken leg,” Peabody informed her. “Jammed shoulder and some damage to the rotator cuff.”
“What?”
“Summerset. Roarke said they’re going to keep him overnight, and he’s making arrangements for in-home care as soon as he can be released. He racked the knee of the unbroken leg, so it’ll be a while before he’s on his feet.”
“Shit.”
“Oh, and Roarke says he appreciates your concern, and will communicate same to the patient.”
“Shit,” she repeated.
“And just to add to